Chapter 15 · Sparkbound - Chapter 15: Bait in the Furnace

"Don't touch the furnace." Draven caught Wren's wrist before her fingers reached the black iron valve.

His grip was hot. Too hot. The bond under her skin flashed once, and he sucked in a sharp breath.

"Let go," Wren snapped.

"You heard me. Step back."

"The kids are inside."

"They're trapped inside a dead furnace, and you're about to feed it spark. Do the math."

Wren twisted hard. Draven caught her other arm and shoved her against the brick wall beside the furnace. His body blocked the narrow space between her and the valve. Close enough that she felt each rough breath against her cheek.

"Move," she said.

"No."

"Draven."

His jaw tightened. A dark line crawled from beneath his collar and disappeared under his shirt. The rot. It had spread farther since the tunnel collapse.

Wren stared at it. "You're getting worse."

"I'm aware."

"Then why are you stopping me?"

"Because every time you use that much power, it tears through me."

"And every minute we stand here, the furnace burns through the children."

His eyes cut toward the iron door. Small hands pressed against the other side. Three sets. Maybe four.